Schuyler County Joins Growing List of New York Counties Against Opioids

Schuyler County has become the latest New York State county to take action against the manufacturers and distributors of opioid pain killers.

The County Legislature voted Monday (August 14) to retain the firm of Napoli Shkolnik, PLLC to file a lawsuit on their behalf. Schuyler County joins other New York Counties and numerous municipalities nationwide already represented by Napoli Shkolnik.

Napoli Shkolnik will work with Schuyler County Attorney Steven J. Getman, as special counsel, to bring an action against the manufacturers and distributers of prescription opiates for damages to the County arising out of the fraudulent and negligent marketing and distribution of opiates in and to the County

“Over the past few years, despite its small population, Schuyler County has seen an uptick in opioid and heroin use and overdose,” Getman said. “To date, County officials have expended significant resources to help its residents battle opioid addiction and prevent further deaths. The lawsuit will seek to reimburse the County for its expenses related to the opioid crisis as well as provide the County with financial assistance to continue this battle.”

According to County Administrator Tim O’Hearn, the lawsuit will be filed at no risk to the County, as Napoli Shkolnik will work on contingency basis that will cover all costs associated with the lawsuit.

“By voting to go forward with litigation, the County Legislature hopes to lessen the burden to taxpayers and seeks to hold manufacturers and distributors responsible for their role in the opioid epidemic,” O’Hearn said.

“For many years the manufacturers and distributors of opioid pain medications have earned billions of dollars in profits flooding this Country with opioids” says Napoli Shkolnik attorney Joseph L. Ciaccio, “these lawsuits seek to force those companies to help clean up the devastation caused by these pills.”

“These drug companies have poisoned our communities and polluted our children” says Paul Napoli, of counsel for Napoli Shkolnik. Paul Napoli leads the charge with Hunter Shkolnik against drug companies nationwide.

“The painkiller overdose epidemic is a classic case of putting profits before people,” he said. “Many opioid manufacturers were so intent on selling as much product as possible that they either turned a blind eye towards, or intentionally buried, reports that these drugs were highly addictive and potentially deadly.”

Report: The opioid crisis "a fresh hell" for America’s employers

From Work in Progress, a new series exploring what it means to earn a living today:

The misuse of prescription painkillers, heroin and synthetic opioids like fentanyl is, by now, painfully well known. The U.S. tops the world in drug deaths; in 2015, more people died from overdoses — with two thirds involving an opioid — than from car accidents or gun violence.

The epidemic is also having a devastating effect on companies — large and small — and their ability to stay competitive. Managers and owners across the country are at a loss in how to deal with addicted workers and potential workers, calling the issue one of the biggest problems they face. Applicants are increasingly unwilling or unable to pass drug tests; then there are those who pass only to show signs of addiction once employed. Even more confounding: how to respond to employees who have a legitimate prescription for opioids but whose performance slips...

The issue is amplifying labor shortages in industries like trucking, which has had difficulty for the last six years finding qualified workers. It’s also pushing employers to broaden their job searches, recruiting people from greater distances when roles can’t be filled with local workers. At stake is not only safety and productivity within companies — but the need for humans altogether, with some manufacturers claiming opioids force them to automate work faster.

One nonprofit called the misuse of prescription drugs a hidden workplace epidemic.

As the result of the opioid crisis, a number of New York counties, including Seneca, Ononadaga, Broome, Nassau and Erie counties have announced they will sue major pharmaceutical companies, alleging that deceptive and aggressive marketing have fueled the national surge in opioid abuse and harmed the state's residents.